Garment or ironing press



Oct. 1, 1935. E. DAVIS I GARMENT OR IRONIN PRESS OriginaIFiled Jan. 18, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 1, 1935.

E. DAVIS GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Original Filed Jan. 18, 1929 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 39 50 f 44 I W 1 v 23 FlG. 4 u

I III 50 Q 6 4 i 3 35 0 LV- INVENTQR ERNEST DAVIS Patented Oct. 1, 1935 GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Ernest Davis, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor .to The Prosperity company lnd syracuse, N. Y., a corporation oi lilcw-York Application January 18, 1929, Serial No. 333,443 Renewed October 29, 1931 11 Claims. (Cl. 60-625) 'lost motion connection embodying This invention relates to controlling mechanisms for power actuated machines, particularly machines having an opening and closing movement, as garment and laundry pressing machines; and it has for its object a particularly simple and efiicient manually operated controlling mechanism by which repeated operations of the machine are impossible upon a single operation of the controlling means.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is an enlarged sectional detail view of this controlling mechanism.

Figure 2 is a side elevation showing a pressing machine embodying this invention.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevation of the machine shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view in section showing a diagrammatic layout of the valves, mtor, valve holding means and their connections.

This controlling mechanism comprises a manually operated member, a second member, and a motion transmitting or power controlling part coacting with the second member. The second member is actuated by the manually operated member through means coacting with said members to provide a gradually yielding or collapsible constructions for gradually controlling the yielding or collapsible action whereby motion is transmitted from the first member to the second upon the operation of the first member and the second member takes up the lost motion upon its return to starting position or is permitted to return to its starting position independently of the first member and irrespective of the position of the first member even though the first member is held operated. This construction thereby requires resetting of the first member before the second member can be again actuated. Means is then provided for returning at least the second member and preferably each member to its starting position independently of the other member.

The manually operated member is here shown as a plunger or piston i, and the second member likewise as a piston or plunger 2, these being movable in a cylinder 3 and being normally spaced apart and opposed to each other. I

A motion transmitting part or a lever ti coacts with the plunger 2, and this lever Q, as here shown,

coacts with another lever or rocker arm 5 which in turn acts upon a plunger 6. The plunger 6 coacts with a valve, such as an exhaust valve 59, and coacts with the stem 1 of a controlling valve, such as an inlet valve 5|, located in a housing H.

The lever or rocker arm 5 is also acted upon by a sliding stem 8 actuated by a diaphragm 9 in a diaphragm chamber In to hold or look the lever 5, and hence, the valve and plunger 6 operated thereby in their operated positions. se forms no part of the invention. However, a brief description of the operation of the valve may be desirable for a quick understanding of the invention.

The valve connected to flow of air or other motive fluid to and from a cylinder H from a suitable intake pipe through the pipe l2 to the head end of the cylinder. When the sliding plungerli is actuated by the depression This feature per 10 the stem 1 controls the or operation of the plunger l air enters the cylin- 2 der H through the pipe l2 and actuates the piston therein. The diaphragm 9 then holds the sliding plunger 6 depressed and the valve actuated thereby open untilthe plunger 6 is released thereby. The air is then free to exhaust from the 2 cylinder out through the pipe [2.

The piston rod l3, which moves in the cylinder, is connected to the head it of the pressing machine through suitable motion transmitting connections including a bell crank lever l5 DIV- oted at its angle at Hi to the base of the support ing frame l'l; one arm of this lever being pivoted at it to the lower end of the link I9 which in turn is pivoted at 29 to the rear arm of a yoke lever 2|. The yoke lever 2| carries the head it. The link l9 and one of the arms of the angle lever l5 form a toggle. The piston in the cylinder H is single acting and the pressis locked or held in its closed position by the pressure in the cylinder l l. The press is opened when the pressure in the cylinder is released, by countersprings 22.

The lever or rocker arm 5 when locked or held in its operated position by the action of the diaphragm 9 thereon through the stem it, holds the valve controlled by the lever or rocker arm 5 in its operated position and thus holds the pressure in the cylinder ii. The fluid or compressed air for operating the diaphragm 9 passes from the cylinder through the pipes 23, 2 3 to the pressure side of the diaphragm chamber ill. The pipe 23 communicates with a casing 25 mounted on the cylinder and having a port opening into the cylinder in position to be uncovered by the piston when the piston approaches the end of its power stroke.

After the piston uncovers the port in the cylin der at or even with the casing 25, air is free to .pass through the pipes 23, 24 into the diaphragm chamber and lock the control valve or valves in their operated position. To open the press, the air is released from the diaphragm chamber by a valve operated by a trip lever 26. The casing of this release valve is connected by a pipe 21 to the pipe 24 or any pipe communicating with the pressure side of the diaphragm chamber Ill.

The valve mechanism and release mechanism described above form no part of this invention. This invention relates to operating means for the valve or valves which control the operation of the press and relates particularly to the so-called safety or two-hand operating means which provide a control for each hand of the operator. Operators, however, are prone to circumvent such safetydevices and will tie or otherwise fasten one of the operating means for one hand in operating or depressed position and then operate the press with onehand only by actuation of the The purpose.

other operating manual or control. of the two-hand control is defeated thereby, and an operator will frequently catch the free hand between the pressing elements I4 and Ma even though the press is equipped with two-hand. safety operating means. This invention provides two-hand operating means so constructed that one of the operating controls cannot be secured in operative position and the press actuated by operation of the other control.

The plunger I has a stem 3| movable. through a guide sleeve or abutment 32 fixed in the cylinder 3, and also a hand engagement part or push button 33 connected to the stem 3i by a lost motion connection so that the button will have a limited movement axially relatively thereto. The plunger- I is returned to its starting or initial position by suitable means such as a spring 34, interposed between the guide sleeve or abutment 32 and the push button 33. The spring 34 not only returns the plunger 3i to its starting positionbut also returns the push button 33 to its starting position relatively to the plunger.

The lower plunger 2 is formed with a stem 35 guided in one head 38 of the cylinder 3, the end of the stem 35 coacting with a roller 33 on the lever 4. A spring 31 is interposed between the head of the lower plunger or piston 2 and the head 38 of the cylinder 3.

The space between the two plungers I and 2 is provided with a restricted outlet passage to permit a gradual leak of air or pressure from between the plungers, this restricted passage being of such size that upon depression of the plunger I the motion thereof will be transmitted 'to the plunger 2 by the air pocketed between the two plungers I and 2, to actuate the latter and hence actuate the parts 4, 5 and 6. The restricted passage permits the leakage of air from between the plungers in case the plunger I is held depressed after the rocker arm 5 has been held or locked by the diaphragm 9 and hence permits the lower plunger 2 to return to its starting position under the influence of the returning spring 3'I even though the plunger is held in its operated position.

As here illustrated, both plungers I and 2 are formed with restricted passages 39 and 43 extending lengthwise of the stems thereof. The passage 39 is provided with a restricted outlet port or passage 4|, which is always open and with an outlet port 42 which is closed by a valve 43 on the stem 44 of the push button 33. When the push button is released, the air from the space control.

between the plungers has a maximum outlet but when the push button 33 is depressed, the port 42 is closed so that the leakage of air from between the plungers l and 2 is through restricted passages 40 and 4|. 6

The travel of the plunger I relatively to the travel of the plunger 2 is such that when the plunger I is completely depressed, it will not engage the plunger 2. Any stop means can be employed to regulate the travel of the plunger I. 10 As here shown, the upper portion of the cylinder 3, the stem 3! of the plunger l and the coil spring 34 are so proportioned, relatively, that when the coil spring is completely compressed, it forms-a stopfor the plunger I. Accordingly, even though the operator held the plunger l in depressed position, the plunger 2 can still return to its initial position through the action of the coil spring 31.

The cylinder 3 thus forms means for providing collapsible motion transmitting means between the two plunger members I and 2. Preferably, the restricted outlets 33 and 40 are formed in either or both of the plungers, but obviously they need not be so formed but may be provided in any suitable location. Also, these passages form inlets to the air space between the plungers. The cylinder 3 is provided with suitable perforations 45 for permitting the inlet of air to the passage 4! and port 42.

Obviously, a machine provided with this control mechanism cannot be operated unless the plunger I and push button 33 is permitted to return after each operation to its starting position, and where a two hand control is used, the machine cannot be operated if one manual is tied 35 or stuck down or is in its operated position. This invention therefore provides a positive two-hand One of the control buttons 33, and mechanism operated thereby, is shown in Figure 1 but two of these buttons are illustrated in Figure 3, since the invention is designed priv marily for use with two-hand controls.

When the operator wishes to close the press he will depress the push buttons, such as the push button 33 and cause the valve 43 to close the port 45 42 and thus trap air between the plungers I and 2. The trapped air is compressed by the downward movement of the plunger l and this compressed air forces the plunger 2 downwardly, against the tension of the spring 31, and operates 5 the lever 4 which causes the rocker arm 5 and stem 3 to operate a valve for supplying working fluid to the cylinder ll of the press-closing motor. Compressed air between the plungers I and 2 will escape at a slow rate through the restricted passages 43 and 4|. This escape of air is not sufficient to reduce the pressure between the plungers l and 2 to such a degree that the spring 31 will restore the plunger 2 to normal position before the press closes. After the press is closed and the valve locked or held in operated position by the diaphragm 9, as previously ex- I plained, the continued escape of air from between the plungers will finally reduce the pressure to such a degree that the spring 31 will return the 5 lower plunger 2 to normal position. It is thus obvious that the operator cannot hold a valve permanently in operated position by tying, or otherwise securing, one of the push buttons, as for example the push button 33 in depressed position.

What I claim is:

1. A controlling mechanism for power actuated machines comprising a manually operated member, a second movable member returnable to its ing the speed of collapsing of the gradually collapsing connection upon release of the manually operated member.

2. A controlling mechanism for power actuated machines comprising a manually operated member, a second member, a gradually collapsible motion transmitting connection between said members having means to gradually collapse the connection at a slower speed than the operating movement of said manually operated member so as to permit the return of the second member to its starting position when the first member is held operated, said members comprising spaced apart plungers. said motion transmitting connection comprising a cylinder enclosing the plungers and a restricted outlet leading from the space between the plungers, and means for returning the plungers to their starting position independently of each other, the first plunger having a hand engaging part movable relatively to its plunger, and said hand engaging part being provided with a valve to restrict said outlet when said part is operated relatively to its plunger.

3. A controlling mechanism for power actuated machines comprising a cylinder, opposing plungers movable in the cylinder, a manually operated part connected to one of said plungers and having a limited movement relatively thereto. a motion transmitting member coacting with the other of said plungers, means tending to return the plungers to their starting positions independently of each other, and a restricted outlet leading from the space between the plungers, said outlet being provided in the plunger having the hand engaging part and said hand engaging part being provided with a valve movable into position to close said passage upon the operation of the hand engaging part to operate its plunger.

4. A controlling mechanism for power actuated machines comprising a cylinder, opposing plungers movable in the cylinder, one being, manually operable and having a hand engaging part having a limited movement relatively thereto, springs tending to return the plungers independently of each other to their starting positions, the manually operable plunger having an outlet passage leading from the space between the plungers, said outlet passage having an open outlet port and another normally open port, and said hand engaging part having a valve for closing the latter port upon the operation of said hand engaging part.

5. A controlling mechanism for power actuated machines comprising a cylinder, opposing plungers'movable in the cylinder, one of said plungers being manually operable and having a hand engaging part having a limited movement relatively to the plunger,

starting positions, the manually operable plunger having an outlet passage leading from the springs tending to return the plungersindependently of each other to their er acting against said manually operable part.

6. A controlling mechanism for power actuata cylinder, opposing stem and a guide in the cylinder coacting with the stem, said plunger and stem having a passage therethrough ing and closing said passage, a spring acting on each plunger tov return the same to its starting position, the spring acting on the plunger provided with the hand-engaging part being interposed between the guide and said hand engaging part.

7. A controlling mechanism for power actuated machines having a power controlling part com-- prising a cylinder, a manually operable plunger within the cylinder and at one end thereof, a secoperable plunger is released. 8. A controlling mechanism for power actuated machines having a power controlling part comprising-a cylinder, a fixed abutment withinthe cylinder, a manually operable 9. A controlling mechanism for power actuated machines having a power controlling part com prising acylinder, a fixed abutment within the cylinder, a manually operable plunger within the cylinder and at one end thereof, the manually operable plunger extending through the abutment, a spring engaging the plunger and the abutment to impel the plunger outwardly of the cylinder, a second plunger within the cylinder and at the other end thereof, a head on the end of the cylinder, the second plunger extending through the head and coacting with the power controlling part to move the latter to its operable position, the plungers being movable and spaced from each other a distance great enough so that the first plunger is incapable of actuating the second plunger to its operable position by contact with the first plunger, the spaced plungers forming a fluid chamber therebetween, a spring engaging the head and the second plunger to impel the latter to its starting tending from the fluid chamber and of such size that actuation of the first plunger will actuate the second plunger without contacting therewith and permit the second plunger to return to inoperative position under the influence of its spring irrespective of the position of and independently of the first plunger.

10. A controlling mechanism for power actuated machines having a power controlling part comprising a cylinder, a manually operable plunger within the cylinder and at one end thereof, a second plunger within the cylinder and at the other end thereof, the second plunger coacting with the power controlling part to move the latter to its operable position, the plungers being movable and spaced from each other a distance great enough so that the first plunger is incapable of actuating the second plunger to its operable position by contact with the first plunger, the spaced plungers forming a fluid chamber therebetween, springs impelling' each plunger to its starting position, a large outlet extending through the manually operable plunger, a restricted outlet extending from the large outlet through the side of the manually operable plunger and of such size that actuation of the first plunger will actuate the second plunger without position, and an outlet excontacting therewith and permit the second plunger to return to inoperative position under the influence of its spring irrespective of the position of and independently of the first plunger, a hand engaging part carried upon the end 5 of the manually operable plunger, and a valve carried by the hand engaging part closing the large outlet upon actuation of the manually operable plunger and opening the large outlet when the hand engaging part is released. 10

11. A controlling mechanism for power actuated machines having a power controlling part comprising a cylinder, a fixed abutment within the cylinder, a manually operable plunger within the cylinder and at one end thereof, the manu- 5 ally operable plunger extending through the abutment, a spring engaging the plunger and the abutment to impel the plunger outwardly of the cylinder, a second plunger within the cylinder and at the other end thereof, a head on the end 20 of the cylinder, the second plunger extending through the head and coacting with the power controlling part to move the latter to its operable position, the plungers being movable and spaced from each other a distance great enough so that 25 the first plunger is incapable of actuating the second plunger to its operable position by contact I with the first plunger, the spaced plungers forming afiuid chamber therebetween, a spring engaging the head and the second plunger to impel 30 the latter to its starting position, a large'outlet extending through the manually operable plunger, a restricted outlet extending from the large outlet through the side of the manually operable plunger of such size that actuation of the first 35 plunger will actuate the second plunger without cont-acting therewith and permit the second plunger to return to inoperative position under the influence of its spring irrespective of the position of and independently of the first plunger, 40 a hand engaging part carried upon the end of the manually operable plunger, and a valve carried by the hand engaging part closing the large outlet upon actuation-of the manually operable plunger and opening the large outlet when the hand engaging part is released.

ERNEST DAVIS. 

